Photo by Adam Vogler
Justin Klumpe places tape in preparation for painting the UH-1 "Huey" helicopter at the All Veterans Memorial in Emporia Tuesday, Aug. 12
The scruffy-looking Huey helicopter at the All Veterans Memorial began to take on a new look Monday afternoon as Hartford resident Justin Klumpe kept his pledge to give the aging helicopter a fresh coat of paint.
The project has been financed through a fundraiser by Michelle Barnhart’s seventh- and eighth-grade classes at Olpe middle school and through a contribution from a donor who lives outside the state.
The helicopter, which was used in the Vietnam War, was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2007. All three of its crew members — Jim Venable, Jim Williams and Gary Hennessey — came to Emporia from out of state to attend the ceremony.
In September of that year, they initiated a project to restore the helicopter’s original painting specifications, remove a build-up of bird droppings, and install a barrier to prevent the birds from nesting in it. The work would have included using a crane to remove the helicopter from its moorings, hauling it down the highway to the Emporia Municipal Airport, and having it painted by a professional, using a hangar as a paint booth.
The project initially was estimated to cost no more than $50,000. With volunteer labor and equipment, that cost was reduced to between $15,000 to $20,000.
Approximately $1,000 had been raised by the Olpe youths and the private donor when Klumpe volunteered to paint the project on-site.
Klumpe is a U.S. Navy veteran, now serving in the Navy Reserves, and has been trained in painting military aircraft.
The stencils he will add after painting is complete were donated by one of the Huey’s crew members.
Klumpe began on Monday, with occasional ground assistance from city employee Bill Hanson and Flint Hills Vietnam Veterans official Frank Lowery.
“Basically, he’s pretty much handling it himself,” said project spokesman and Vietnam veteran Ron Whitney, “other than having a person on the ground to mix the paint” or help in other ways.
Whitney said that unless Klumpe encounters something unexpected, the $1,000 should cover the cost of the project.
“If we have to get any more paint, it doesn’t take long to add up,” Whitney said. “I think it’s over $300 a gallon.”
The crew members earlier had volunteered to contribute to the project, and other money may become available.
“There’ll be no tax dollars involved, for sure,” Whitney said.
Comments
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on August 12, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderful! God bless everyone involved in the project, especially Mr. Klumpe!
Posted by create (anonymous) on August 14, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just as I promised May, I went down this afternoon and played the theme song "Gerry Owens" on my harmonica for Justin and the helicopter. The chopper looks spiffed up and bright now, and Justin's face and neck is a bright red after working so hard in the sun. He had a couple of helpers there, and I wanted to make sure to note that the hydraulic lift being used to get the men high up in the air has been donated by Water's Hardware.
Good job Justin and helpers.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how many city employees are being paid to watch and hand mr klumpe supplies? there is always a city truck on the site are those employees being paid to sit around and watch or are they volunteers? you would think after about 10 inches of rain in the last week they could have waited for the ground to dry before tearing up the ground around the aircraft. what a mess. so the city will be paying for hourly wages, seed, fertilizer, special care to get the grass back in the same condition it was in or was this even budgeted in. probably not
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 12:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the helicopter looks great but the ruts and mud mess around the display was uncalled for. and the city has a bucket truck so why was a lift needed from waters in the first place
Posted by emporian (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 12:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I imagine liability is the reason they used a lift from waters.
Posted by create (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to be positive, wyse guy. Waiting for the ground to dry was not an option since Justin must be in Michigan this Monday to begin new employment. Who knew the man would get a job offer in the middle of his volunteer work? Dang!!!
Yes, the grass in front of the helicopter is a muddy mess, but since supplies, labor and equipment were donated to begin with, the least the city can do is step up with a little help for getting that portion of the grassy area back in shape. After all, the Veteran's Memorial is part of the city's annual celebration. Besides, it's only grass! A little dirt, a little seed, a little fertilizer, a little time.
And if Water's wants to donate the lift, why turn it down?
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NO TAX DALLARS INVOLVED hmm so the guy from the city is not getting paid to set down there.I was down buy there last nite ,I walked around for about thirty minutes they were just standing there then set down .So is the city paying this guy for just setting around or is it coming out of the cost.Maybe create is going to pay his wages
Posted by navywife (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The "city guy" was onsite "just sitting aroung" for safety reasons. God forbid if my husband were to fall from the lift...who would be there to call 911. Justin saved the city thousands of dollars by volunteering his labor and all you can do is bitch about the extra man hours for ONE city guy and some grass that will grow back. Wow, how positive....I bet that makes Justin feel like a million bucks. He was painting that helo from morning till night for three whole days to complete it before we moved to minnesota. He made a promise to Emporia and kept it. Why do some people have to look at the negative in every situation, why is the glass always half empty. I'm proud of my husband, he has a heart of gold.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Justin and Navywife, thank you for your honorable donated hard work to the helo project. I wish both of you the best of luck in your move and new careers in Minnesota. Don't pay attention to the negative posts, the alias name should tell us what his modus is. He obviously doesn't understand that work on City property has to be monitored and inspected no matter who is doing the work. Hold your heads high and know that you are very appreciated.
I have an idea, lets all put funds together and see if wyse_guy will volunteer to go make the grass beneath the helicopter look like he/she thinks it should look. I'm betting he wouldn't have the slightest idea of how to accomplish that.
Posted by create (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm proud of Justin too, very proud and he deserves to be honored for this huge contribution.
I heard him interviewed on the radio this morning and I had no idea he had put 15-16 hours a day into this project just to get it finished before leaving town. While he could have been devoting time to getting his family packed up for a cross-country move, he was here painting our helicopter instead. And Justin isn't even from Emporia; he lives in Hartford. Even the monetary donations came from out of town.
Finally wyse_guy, I already pay that city guy's wages. Besides that, when the kids from Olpe were fund raising, I sent them a check so I paid for part of the paint too!
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As i said the helo looks great but its going to cost tax dallars to fix the ground the sidewalks but who cares its just money the city said we dont have.
Create if its volunteer then the city workers should not be getting paid .This city has always been A JOKE one guy working and four to five standing or setting around watching.IF its for SAFETY then why not have a EMT there that are already on the clock but no instaed we have someone setting there drawing OVERTIME who more than likely couldnt help if something did happen is he an EMT? Besides call the fire department if hes got the energy to get up after his stressful day of sitting.So you go on down there and blow your harmonica maybe that will pay the three or four other guys wages during the day and evening.
the lift is designed to PARK in one spot and move back and forth up and down without having to drive in circles playing in the mud. there is also plenty of room for 1 or more persons and supplies aboard. EMTs are on site and standby for fair activities why would this project be any different.
Posted by user4137aolcom (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There cannot be enough good words said for Justin Klumpe, his devotion/fidelity to duty, his respect for all those who served, and for those in the City to which he gave of himself for this project. The sacrifices he and his family have made in this effort, are a model by which all of us should be proud to emulate.
With regard to the minor intrusions of the grass, it is easily rectified and not even worthy of note in an accomplishment of this magnitude. Also, many thanks to Create, for playing Gerry Owen. I am sure, the aircraft remembered it and it made her smile.
This is a terrific accomplishment for the City, its Citizens, and all those who supported this effort. With regard to Mr. Klumpe and his wonderful family, The words "God Speed and a safe journey", come from all the crew who flew the aircraft now on display in the All Veteran's Park.
Ghostrider 22, et al
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I just saw the helo yesterday. It looks so much better than it did a week or so ago. Justin needs a commendation from the city for doing something so productive. It has to warm the hearts of thousands of veterans to see the memorial kept up like it should be. That alone is worth it.
to navy wife, please, let justin know that the majority of us admire the work he has done. i hope that you both can return to see it from time to time to remember what a wonderful thing he's done.
Wyse guy. you should be ashamed of yourself. somebody does something so wonderful for the community and all you can do is whine. remember, all of those veterens served their country so that you could get on here and whine. maybe you should sit down there, volunteering your time if you are so worried about what the city spends.
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I second this quote from dhcc66.
Wyse guy. you should be ashamed of yourself. somebody does something so wonderful for the community and all you can do is whine. remember, all of those veterens served their country so that you could get on here and whine. maybe you should sit down there, volunteering your time if you are so worried about what the city spends
Mr. and Mrs. Klumpe thank you for everything even though some take issue with it. Have a safe trip and God Bless.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You people need to back up i said he was doing a great job,the city said NO TAX DALLARS ARE BEING SPENT so why are we paying city employes to set there when im sure they could have gotten a vet to set down there and do the same thing .It probably would have been a highlite in their life to do it BUT OH NO were paying people.What were these people doing for the city that they have time to set there all day.Maybe there jobs what ever they were should have been cut.Because it looks like they were not in a profitable position.Maybe some of you in here are the ones drawing that hard pay wearing out the lawnchairs.
Posted by ghostrider22alpha (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wyse_guy or anonymous, which ever you prefer to hide behind,,
My name is JIM WILLIAMS, your words about the grass and the people behind this project, are contemptible to say the least, if you can find someone in the city government to listen to your drivel, then send me a bill for the grass and I'll gladly send them a check, other than that, Justin is one of the most outstanding young man I have had the occasion to meet, and come to think of it,, where were you while all of this was going on ?,,, sitting on your duff probably,,, I flew on that aircraft in places you cannot pronounce, and I am proud of the city and proud of Justin,, I'll be there come next Memorial day so look me up and I'll buy you a beer, because you need it, at least you would be doing something constructive instead of bitching about something you have not the foggiest Idea of,,,,
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Back up re-read where it was stated that work on City property must be inspected and monitored to ensure integrity, prevent possible liability claims, and avert claims of misuse of public funds such as yours. The city government nor any government agency for that matter, are in operation for a profit. They provide public services, which by the way costs money. No, I don't work for the government, but I'm smart enough to understand why they had a staff member on hand.
Posted by old_soldier (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A big salute to Justin Klumpe for doing this.
A big spit spewing rasberry to wyse guy. By the way, my middle finger is up too.
Posted by neighbor (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I went down to see the helicopter this afternoon and to see the supposed damage caused to the grass beneath it. Mr Lowery and Mr Whitney were up in the lift doing some work at the backend of the shiny freshly painted Huey. A couple of other Vietnam Era Veterans were there checking out the work and progress, other people were parked there watching the work, one gentleman was taking photographs. There was quite alot of activity going on for a Friday afternoon.
The paint job looks nicely done Justin. I spoke with one of the Vets I knew there who was glad to see the bird cleaned up. He told me that when he was in country, all the Helos he had been around and rode in were faded with age and use, bullet holes were common, he'd never seen one look as good as what you've made this one look like. He was pleased.
As for the grass damage, talk about making a mountain out of mole hill. Keep your money GhostRider, it will be taken care of with a couple of rains and a cutting or two. If not, I'll provide the seed and labor if Bill will be so kind as to accompany me down there to do it.
Posted by user4137aolcom (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, I must offer up my support to all in the City of Emporia and to those outside the City (e.g. Justin Klumpe and his family, the Olpe kids, Create, etc.), and all those other folks who contributed to the success of this project. Ghostrider 22 alpha and those of us who flew the aircraft just refurbed, have more than an emotional attachment to her. This has been duly noted in interviews on KVOE, conversations with the many good folks we met when visiting the City, and articles in the Emporia Gazette. To degrade the accomplishment of Justin Klumpe, the City Management, and the Veteran's Committee, seems trivial at best and mean-spirited at worst.
I remember a long time ago when we got back from Vietnam, happy to be alive, and were treated like human garbage. God Forbid any of us, could ever talk about what happened.
Finding this ship that saved our lives, and finding it on a place of Hallowed Ground created by the good Citizens of Emporia, makes it all worthwhile. Thanks to Mr. Klumpe, the City structure and the good people behind this project, that ship has become a toast and a monument to those who did not come home, and those of us who survived and did.
The accomplishment of that end by Mr. Klumpe and the City, makes the complaints about the grass and whatever other criticisms have been uttered, absolutely meaningless.
We, all of us as outsiders, offer our compliments and best wishes always, to the City that founded Veteran's Day, created the first All Veteran's Park in the United States, and accomplished this incredible refurb. It honors those who are serving now, and those who who have come and gone.
Ghostrider 22, et al.
Posted by navywife (anonymous) on August 15, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to thank everyone who helped make this happen. I would like to thank Frank and Bill who stayed out there with me all day and night while I worked. I would also like to thank the veteran's comittee and the crew members to allow me to paint such a great piece of history. I hope that I have met everyone's expectations.
On another note, for those that are not happy with part of the process you better get the facts before you start running your mouth. The lift that was donated weighed two tons, the ground would have to be rock hard to not leave marks in the grass. Also, you should have stayed from 7 am to 11 pm like I did. The city Employee that you are so concerned about was not there every second of the day. Your are right he did have a job to do and he left to go take care of his city duties and stopped in from time to time. The other gentlemen is a veteran, retired, and volunteered his time to stay and help me. As far as having an EMT down there, I do believe that the police/fire department are paid by the city.
My wife and I look forward to coming back veterans day for the dedication ceremony and the memorial.
Once again thanks to everyone that helped make this happen and to all of you that came down and showed your support.
Justin Klumpe
Posted by sadinemporia (anonymous) on August 18, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wyse_guy,
I have a question. Do you ever proofread your posts? Most of your chatter doesn't even make any sense. You make yourself sound like an uneducated person, surely your not. That's sarcasm just in case you didn't understand.
Post a comment
We allow registered users to post comments on this Web site. Our goal with this feature is to encourage thoughtful discussions about the news stories. Using the comment feature to make random attacks on people is not acceptable. Emporiagazette.com neither endorses nor guarantees the accuracy of any user contribution. Responsibility for what is posted or contributed to this site is the sole responsibility of each user. To learn more about our posting policies please read our User Poster Agreement Policy.
(Requires free registration.)